Buxar: In a shocking incident of one-sided obsession turning violent, a 22-year-old bride was shot at point-blank range during her wedding ceremony in Chausa area of Buxar district on Tuesday night. The accused, identified as Deenbandhu Chaudhary (24), allegedly opened fire at the bride, Aarti Kumari, while she was on the stage exchanging garlands, leaving the celebrations in chaos and the family devastated.
The incident took place barely half a metre away from the stage as wedding rituals were underway. According to eyewitnesses, the accused had asked the DJ to play a song moments before the attack and then fired at Aarti during the varmala ceremony. The bullet struck her abdomen. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later referred for advanced treatment. Doctors said she remains in the ICU and has not yet regained consciousness.
The groom, who was preparing for the next ritual, was left stunned as the bride collapsed in a pool of blood. Soon after learning about the shooting, he left the wedding venue along with the entire wedding procession, stating that his family had no prior knowledge of the incident or any past dispute.
Aarti’s father, Nand Ji Chaudhary, broke down while speaking to reporters, saying he had taken loans worth ₹5 lakh to conduct the wedding. “Even if my daughter survives, who will marry her now? How will she live her life?” he said, sobbing.
The accused surrendered before the court nearly 14 hours after the incident, confessing to the crime. He was later taken into police custody.
Obsession, threats and a failed warning system
Police investigation revealed that Deenbandhu had been harassing Aarti for nearly two years after she rejected his marriage proposal. Family members said he began stalking her, tracking her movements and issuing repeated threats to her and her parents.
According to relatives, an earlier marriage proposal had also collapsed after the accused allegedly threatened the groom’s family. A village-level meeting was held following that incident, after which Deenbandhu was sent out of state for work. However, he reportedly continued monitoring Aarti through friends.
To avoid further trouble, Aarti’s family fixed her marriage outside the district, in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. Despite this, the accused managed to learn about the wedding date and returned to Buxar days before the ceremony.
On the night of the wedding, he allegedly entered the venue posing as a guest, covering his face with a cloth and recording videos. When he found an opportunity, he pulled out a firearm and fired at the bride from close range before fleeing.
Victim identified attacker before losing consciousness
Family members said that even as she was being rushed to hospital, Aarti repeatedly named Deenbandhu as the attacker before slipping in and out of consciousness. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was referred from the district hospital to a higher medical centre in Varanasi.
Meanwhile, the once festive wedding venue turned silent within minutes. Where farewell songs were to be sung the next morning, cries and prayers filled the night.
Accused’s background and police action
Relatives stated that the accused had studied up to intermediate level and was earlier involved in liquor smuggling. He had been arrested in 2021 and spent time in jail. After his release, he allegedly projected himself as a local strongman.
Police sealed the accused’s house and detained his father for questioning. The father reportedly told police that had he known about the intensity of his son’s actions, he would have intervened earlier to prevent the tragedy.
A case of attempt to murder and illegal possession of arms has been registered. Police officials said the accused was first detained near the court area and later formally arrested after legal procedures. Further investigation is underway.
A wedding shattered, questions remain
The incident has sent shockwaves across Buxar district, raising serious concerns about stalking, delayed intervention and the safety of women despite repeated warnings. As Aarti battles for her life, her family waits outside the hospital, hoping for her survival and justice in a case that has left an entire community shaken.
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